Public invited to August meetings on Heanor Health Services

Local people are invited to give their views to NHS Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on the future of health services in Heanor at two special meetings being held on 7 August.

The meetings, which are taking place as part of the 90 day public consultation launched on 11 July, are being held at All Saints Church, Marlpool from 2pm – 4pm and at Heanor Town Hall from 6pm – 8pm.

Places are still available for both meetings where people can take part in table top discussions and make their views count. People will need to book their place at one of the events as places will be limited. Places can be booked by calling 01332 868677 or emailing enquiries@southernderbyshireccg.nhs.uk People can also have their say online, by email or post.

The public consultation was prompted by the discovery of asbestos at Heanor Memorial Hospital in September 2013. However, the CCG needs to look at the role of other health services as part of its wider responsibility for the health of all residents in the area. These include services based at Wilmot Street Health Centre, those provided in the wider community and those provided in people’s homes.

At the public meeting on 29 May the CCG confirmed that NHS funding is in place to build a new £2.5m health building which will provide services that meet the health requirements of the population.

Andy Layzell, Chief Officer of NHS Southern Derbyshire CCG, said:

“We look forward to meeting with local people from Heanor and surrounding areas at the two meetings on 7th August. We have been clear in saying what our preferred option is but this does not mean that a decision has been made.

“The purpose of this consultation is to check whether people agree with us, and if they do not agree how we might be able to address their concerns. The meetings on 7th August are an important part of this process and I would urge people to book their place.

“Our review shows that health services need to change now and for the future. The increasing age of the population and the effects this has on health will need to be taken into account. This needs a coordinated approach by health and social care services both in health facilities and in the community. There is also a greater need for healthy lifestyle support, management of long term illness, improved mental health service provision and more help for people to make sure they have good sexual health. These are the areas where we think services must be boosted in Heanor.”